Alcohol is a depressant. It reaches your brain in about 20 minutes and dulls judgment, reflexes, alertness and vision. Only time sobers you up. Louisiana's legal limit depends on your age and the vehicle you drive.
Louisiana BAC limits
| Driver | Legal limit |
|---|---|
| Operating a commercial motor vehicle | 0.04 |
| 21 or older | 0.08 |
| 20 or younger | 0.02 |
Time for alcohol to reach your brain after entering your stomach
Handbook p. 129 ↗Know the rule
Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant. Feeling 'stimulated' after drinking only means your inhibitions are lowered.
Handbook p. 129 ↗Know the rule
Beer, wine or whiskey makes no difference; it's the amount of alcohol that enters your blood that causes the problem.
Handbook p. 129 ↗How fast alcohol is absorbed depends on:
- Whether you've eaten (a small amount on an empty stomach hits faster)
- Alcohol content, potency and type of drink
- How fast you drink
- Gender and physical fitness
- Emotional state, metabolism and elimination rate
Know the rule
Once alcohol is in your blood, nothing lessens its effect: black coffee, exercise and cold showers don't sober you up. Your liver metabolizes it and your kidneys and lungs eliminate it, which takes time.
Handbook p. 129 ↗Rate at which your body processes alcohol
Handbook p. 130 ↗Know the rule
It takes about an hour to clear one normal drink, so after four drinks wait four hours or more. A BAC of 0.20% at 2:00 a.m. is still over 0.10% at 8:00 a.m. and 0.05% at noon.
Handbook p. 130 ↗Alcohol:
- Reduces your ability to judge speed, distance and angles
- Encourages foolish risks and breaking laws
- Impairs concentration: you may forget belts, headlights, signals and stop signs
- Slows reaction time and blurs vision
- Reduces your ability to judge your own condition
- Causes sleepiness and increases anger at other drivers
Telltale signs of a drinking driver:
- Speeding
- Weaving, even while staying in the lane
- Driving slower than normal traffic
- Jerky, unsteady speed on a clear road
- Sudden stops at signs or lights
Know the rule
Louisiana law prohibits open alcoholic beverage containers and drinking in a vehicle. Even if you aren't drinking, an open container in the vehicle puts you, the driver, at risk of fines.
Handbook p. 131 ↗Know the rule
Impairment starts with the first drink; even one drink can affect your ability to drive.
Handbook p. 131 ↗Put it into practice
You had four beers at a party that ended at midnight. Coffee won't help. Your body clears about one drink per hour, so you shouldn't drive until at least 4 a.m.; better yet, get a sober ride.